Many students today find themselves with fewer hobbies. Between classes, jobs, and time spent on social media, it can feel like there’s little time left for anything purely creative. Yet hobbies, especially tactile ones, can provide relief from stress, improve focus, and give people a sense of control. One pastime in particular has been quietly making a comeback: crochet.
Crochet, long associated with grandmothers and handmade blankets, is finding new life in dorm rooms and on social media. TikTok and YouTube are full of students showing off their self-made sweaters, colorful tote bags, and patchwork cardigans. The appeal is easy to understand. Crocheting is inexpensive to start, calming to practice, and produces something tangible and personal.
For many students, crocheting offers what the modern college experience often lacks: a slow, mindful activity in a fast-paced world. The steady repetition of looping yarn through a hook provides a rhythm that can quiet anxious thoughts. “It’s one of the few things that makes me put my phone down,” said crocheter Mariam Djaby, MCAS’29, who started crocheting in her junior year of high school. “After a while, it feels like mediation.”
Getting started is simple. A beginner only needs a crochet hook and some yarn. These supplies usually cost less than $20, and there are endless possibilities for what you can make. For guidance, countless free tutorials exist online. On YouTube, Hooked by Robin’s “How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners: Part 1” has millions of views and walks newcomers through every step, from holding the hook to forming their first chain. Other helpful channels include Crochet with Tiffany and Zara Crochet Artwork.
Most beginners start with small, practical projects like a scarf, a beanie, or even just a granny square. Mistakes are easy to fix, and progress is visible stitch by stitch. Over time, what began as a way to save money can grow into a deeply satisfying skill. Handmade clothing lasts longer, fits better, and carries the pride of something created, not bought.
Crochet also fosters community. Campus crafting clubs are becoming more common, and spaces like Reddit’s r/crochet, TikTok’s #CrochetTikTok, or even Boston College’s own STITCH Club allow beginners to share patterns, ask questions, and show off their work. For students who spend much of their time behind screens, the mix of digital connection and physical creation can be refreshing.
In a time when everything feels disposable — clothes, trends, and even attention — crocheting stands as an antidote. It slows time down, rewards patience, and offers a way to express individuality without overspending. The same yarn that loops into a sweater can just as easily become a hat for a friend or a blanket for a dorm couch. Each piece tells a story.
College will always bring stress and expenses, but the solution doesn’t always have to be another purchase or another scroll through your feed. Sometimes, it’s a hook, a ball of yarn, and a quiet afternoon spent creating something by hand.
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